The Michaela Community School in London, an establishment renowned for its strict rules, won its case on Tuesday April 16 against a Muslim student who challenged the ban on performing her prayers in the establishment.
The Michaela Community School, located in Wembley, northwest London, won its case on Tuesday against a Muslim student who challenged a ban on her praying in the school.
The student had in fact considered that this ban went against his religious freedom. Claiming to be the victim of a discriminatory policy, the student therefore sued the school, known for its very strict rules, before the High Court of Justice.
At trial, she argued that the school’s position went against her religious freedom. For the student, whose comments were relayed by AFP, it is a “kind of discrimination which makes religious minorities feel alienated from society”. The school, for its part, considered that the prayers harmed “inclusion” between students, explaining that they are prohibited due to “a cultural change” marked by “segregation between religious groups and intimidation” among Muslim students.
“A victory for all schools”
The judge ultimately ruled in favor of the Michaela Community School noting “a rational connection between the school’s goal of promoting team spirit, inclusiveness, social cohesion and the policy regarding the prayer ritual” . “The disadvantage caused to Muslim students by the school’s policy on prayer is in my view outweighed by the objective of promoting the interests of the entire school (students), including Muslims,” added the magistrate.
Reacting to the decision of the High Court of Justice, the director of the establishment Katharine Birbalsingh welcomed a “victory for all schools”. “A school should be free to do what is right for its students,” she wrote in a long statement published on the social network X.
Britain’s education minister, Gillian Keegan, welcomed the ruling, saying school leaders “are best placed to make decisions about their school.”
“Michaela is an excellent school and I hope this judgment will give school principals the confidence to make good decisions for their students,” he said.
